Carson McDowell Solicitor Named Point of Light by Prime Minister

Leona Rankin, a solicitor in Carson McDowell's employment team has been given a prestigious award by
the Prime Minister for her work to support people living with sarcoma in
Northern Ireland.

Leona, who founded The Boom Foundation, has been named a Point of Light by Theresa May.

Every week day the Prime Minister recognises an inspirational volunteer
with the award. Points of Light are described as outstanding individuals who
are making a change in their community.

Leona lost her fiancé Philip to sarcoma after a ten year fight with the
disease, a cancer of the bone and soft tissue. Inspired by his life she set up
‘The Boom Foundation’ to support specialised care in Northern Ireland. She has
raised over £350,000, splitting funds across the Sarcoma UK charity and her own
initiatives.

The Boom Foundation is now the main referral charity for people living
with this type of cancer in Northern Ireland and Leona regularly runs support
groups and information days.

In a personal letter to Leona,
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The Boom Foundation is changing the
lives of hundreds of people living with sarcoma across Northern Ireland. Your
tireless dedication to this cause is a wonderful tribute to Philip’s life.”

Responding to the recognition,
Leona said: “I am truly overwhelmed at receiving the Point of Light
award and am so grateful for the recognition that The Boom Foundation will
receive from such a prestigious award. When The Boom Foundation was set up in
2013, my hope was that it would help patients in some small way and that gaps
in the support system in Northern Ireland would be filled. Now, almost four
years on, the charity has grown and has made a real difference to the lives of
sarcoma patients, in a way that I could never have imagined.

“Boom is a charity run by a team of four trustees and a small number of
volunteers. In receiving this award, it acknowledges the incredible work that
they each do in their own time and I would like to take this opportunity to
thank them for their support and for all those who fundraise and very kindly
donate to Boom.”

Orlagh O'Neill, partner at
Carson McDowell who works with Leona in the employment team, said: “We are
incredibly proud of everything that Leona has achieved with The Boom Foundation.
Today’s award, which is going to a young woman who has demonstrated unwavering
commitment to improving the lives of others, is richly deserved. As an employer
we are keen to support our employees achieve both personal and professional
goals. During the last four years Carson McDowell has come together to support Leona
and Boom by attending events, fundraising and working with her to help such a
worthy charity to succeed. We are delighted for Leona and The Boom Foundation.”